Telescope equipment import duty / vat from USA

Tea drinker

Hi
Can anyone tell me what this is now?
IIRC a few years back it worked out about 25% of the cost, not sure if delivery was included in the cost. Would be nice to see a breakdown of the details.


ta

edit: in case a mod sees it - yes I mean about astro equipment not in general... so pls don't move the thread !

namloc1980

Tea drinker wrote: »

Hi
Can anyone tell me what this is now?
IIRC a few years back it worked out about 25% of the cost, not sure if delivery was included in the cost. Would be nice to see a breakdown of the details.


ta

edit: in case a mod sees it - yes I mean about astro equipment not in general... so pls don't move the thread !

What equipment you looking at? It might be cheaper to buy in the EU. VAT and duty will eat up and potential savings.

Tea drinker

A new C9.25 OTA for 1200 dolla. Secondhand aren't so common and aren't that much cheaper.

Calibos

Depends on current exchange rate. If the rate is good, you'll still save money even taking into account the 25% customs and VAT. Even better if the American dealer has a discount going on thats not offered over here.

EG. I've a full collection of Televue Ethos Eyepieces and a 31mm Nagler on the way at the moment that would cost €4500 on this side of the Atlantic. I took advantage of a Televue 20% Sale in combo with a further 11% American Retailer discount in combo with a $1.47/€1 exchange rate. If I get hit for customs and VAT I'll have gotten them for about €2700 which is a massive saving. However, I always get things from the states sent via the USPS because they interface directly with An Post. For whatever reason, whether its capacity in the An Post customs sorting facility or laziness or whatever, I have found more than half my packages get through without incuring Customs and Vat. This is with everything declared at correct invoice values (ie. No shenanigans on my part) All other couriers like Fedex/UPS/DHL etc have their own customs processing facilities and charge you extra for the facility, so they always charge customs/vat without fail.

If this order goes through An Post without incurring customs and VAT, I'll have gotten €4500 worth of eyepieces for €2200

The funny thing is that I have incurred Customs vat on all the lower valued and smaller packages of astro stuff I've gotten from the states over the last few years but not incurred them on any of the big or really expensive stuff. EG. Got hit for €50 customs on a $200 Howie Glatter laser collimator that came in a small box and yet wasn't charged the €350 in duties on the $1300 price of a Servocat goto drive for my dob.

There is nothing quite like the feeling of answering the door to the An POst delivery guy with the cheque book ready in the back pocket only for him to hand over the package and walk away and not hand over the Payment on Delivery form for you to sign Always punch the air after I close the door

Tea drinker

Yeah I always get nailed for stuff through UPS.... you are getting some very tasty stuff, your living room will be like on of those Televue adds